Two years later I attended an assembly in Pretoria. Some 23 brothers and sisters were present, with Brother Ancketill, the Society’s representative, presiding. How grand it was to be with fellow believers even though there were so few of us! The programme was composed mainly of doctrinal matters and “testimonies,” or experiences, but was sufficiently stimulating for me to remain firm. I needed it.

During 69 years of theocratic service, I have seen thrilling expansion. Back in 1931 there were five Kingdom proclaimers in the vicinity of Pretoria. Now there are over 1,500 associated with 26 congregations. All praise and honour for this belong to Jehovah!

Problems and Progress in Pretoria

However, that same year my bank employers transferred me to Pretoria, where there was a small group of eight Bible Students (Jehovah’s Witnesses). But only one had a proper appreciation for theocratic matters, and he died soon after I arrived. The others​—some were educated men—​failed to appreciate the arrangement of the Society to organize the congregations for service, and two of them left.

Meanwhile, the “elder” of the group, in spite of the Society’s disapproval, was writing a book with his own interpretation of the Scriptures. I personally appealed to him to abandon the idea. The climax came one Sunday morning. His book was already printed, and he brought some copies and asked the group to distribute it. I was shocked. I stood up and opposed his request. As a result, the “elder” and four or five others left the organization. This left only a dear old invalid sister, together with my wife and me. But we were determined to be ‘steadfast and unmovable’ and loyally support the Society. From then on, slowly but surely, Jehovah gave the increase.​—1 Corinthians 3:6; 15:58.

In due time Jehovah added many more workers to the Pretoria Congregation. For example, in 1931 two black brothers came to our study centre and introduced themselves. After that, for some years it was my responsibility to serve both Europeans (whites) and Africans (blacks)​—a rare privilege in South Africa. To help the African brothers, I conducted a group study in their own township, or separate residential area. I also used Brother Rutherford’s recorded talks in the township. In addition to this, an African brother, Hamilton Kaphwitti Maseko, used to help me every Sunday evening to transmit these lectures by means of a powerful transcription machine on Church Square, the very heart of Pretoria.

With Jehovah giving the increase, an African congregation was formed. For many years, as city overseer, I arranged their special meetings. From small beginnings, the work among the Africans in Pretoria expanded to 16 congregations in the area by 1984.